Literacy

Introduction to Literacy at ‘The Beaconsfield School’

Literacy is at the centre of everything we do.  The ability to read both for pleasure and for academic purposes is central to success as an adult.  After many years of decline the National Literacy Trust survey for 2026 shows that 36.1% of young people from 5-18 enjoy reading in their free time.  That is an increase of 3.5% from the previous year.  This is a positive sign that people are responding to reading initiatives.  Be a part of that resurgence in reading by supporting our Literacy policy.  Reading allows us to:

• Develop our understanding of the world around us.
• Develop our vocabulary
• Develop our understanding of form and structure in writing.
• Develop our technical accuracy in writing.
• Develop our confidence in public speaking.

At The Beaconsfield School we take our responsibilities for improving students’ reading very seriously and have the following important initiatives to promote reading:

• A well-stocked library which is at the centre of our reading culture.
• Reading clubs with our enthusiastic librarian
• A whole school ‘Responsive Reading’ programme promoting reading in all subjects across the curriculum
• A ‘Vital Vocabulary’ programme in which students are issued with a booklet to record new vocabulary in all subjects
• A ‘Word of the Week’ initiative introducing new complex vocabulary every week
• Reading age tests to identify and support those students who may be falling behind
• A variety of targeted interventions to support those students.